Eight days ago tonight’s game looked like an epic battle for 30th place, but after four straight wins the Hurricanes are seven points ahead of the Oilers. Have the Canes being playing great hockey all of a sudden? Not really, but their goalie, Sherwood Park native Cam Ward sure is.

Ward has allowed five goals in the four game winning streak. The Canes have been out shot every game, but Ward has a ridiculous .962 SV% in those games. Meanwhile as a team, the Canes have a shooting percentage of 20 with 18 goals on only 91 shots. They won’t keep winning games if these numbers stay the same. Teams can have short stretches where everything they shoot goes in, or their goalie stops most shots, but eventually those bounces will cease.

I wrote on Friday that cheering for a win v. Calgary made sense because of pride, and of course we all saw that there didn’t seem to be much pride on the ice. So tonight, you watch the game knowing that a loss will tie the franchise record for the longest winless streak at 14 games.

Do you cheer for a record or as fans do you need to see your team win one game just to remind you how that feels?

Tough call!

With Sheldon Souray out until after the trade deadline, and possibly the rest of the season (would there be an reason to come back on March 15th) the Oilers attack becomes less potent by the day.

Alex Plante, 15th pick in 2007, will make his NHL debut tonight. Plante has been okay in Springfield according to the scouts and coaching staff. He’ll wear #48 tonight and be paired with Taylor Chorney.

They didn’t do any line rushes this morning, but at yesterday’s skate Marc Pouliot and J.F Jacques looked to be the extras. The top three lines were the same, while Mike Comrie and Zack Stortini skated with Andrew Cogliano. Jacques was invisible in Calgary and Pouliot hasn’t done much since returning from the injured list.

Sheldon Souray’s injury will force Tom Renney to make some changes on the backend. Visnovsky, Gilbert and Plante will play the right side while Strudwick, Chorney and Grebeshkov will play the left side. Strudwick will play with Alex Plante while Renney will put Chorney with Visnvosky and Gilbert back with Grebeshkov. This blueline corps definitely lacks a physical presence and we could see a few fire drills in their own zone tonight.

Jeff Deslauriers gets the start and is looking for his first win since December 30th.

CONSPIRACY THEORY?

I’m not a huge believer in conspiracy theories, although Mel Gibson was great as Jerry Fletcher in the 1997 flick especially when he bit part of Dr. Jonas’ nose off.

But many Oiler fans are concerned that the Count, aka Gary Bettman, will rig the lottery to ensure that the Hurricanes win it. Their basis to this theory is that fans in Edmonton and Boston don’t need the first overall pick to appease their fans, while Carolina needs help.

That's not necessarily the case. Some wondered why the Canes drew a measly 6,896 fans with Chicago in town on Friday. The Hawks are one of the most exciting teams in the league, yet the Canes had their lowest crowd of the season. Prior to Friday’s game their lowest crowd was just over 12,000. It doesn’t make sense that with the Hawks in town and the Canes on a three-game winning streak that only 6,896 people show up.

It's because they had six inches of snow. They actually sold 17,000 tickets and were expecting a sell out, but the weather forced many people to stay home. Even though they had 17,000 sold seats they announced the number of fans in the building. You wonder if down the stretch that will happen in Edmonton. Anyone who has been at Rexall Place knows the seats haven't been full, and you wonder if all of those are paid seats that didn't show up. I'd guess probably not.

I’d bet Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini will have a valid argument that they need the first overall pick more than Carolina does. Oiler fans have had four seasons without the playoffs, and the masses are pissed.

Also...

Interesting to note that Eric Staal spent lots of time at the end of practice working on his shot and joking around with his teammates. Great players put in the extra work and while some of you don't think it is necessary for Ales Hemsky to be any better, I'd argue he does. I see too many of the elite players in the league staying late after practice or at morning skates, and that extra work definitely doesn't hurt their game.

And it seems that TSN. ca jumped the gun on the Rangers/Flames trade. I remember back in the summer when Bob McKenzie and others on TSN were ripping the Edmonton media for jumping the gun on the Heatley story. I noticed he didn't use the same choice of words when talking about how this deal is now on hold. We all make mistakes, and I laugh when those who have ripped on someone about a mistake or jumping the gun have the exact thing happen to them. The deal might still go through, but if it doesn't I doubt they will be ripping their own site.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

When his work ethic becomes even remotely something to be concerned about, then we should discuss it.

I really don't get the digs at Hemsky, other than there is really nothing useful to discuss on this team. But some shots at the shoddy coaching decisions might make more sense (how many times have we seen Strudwick on the ice at the end of close games this year?).

Did anybody say he was the problem in this thread? No.

This double standard I see from time to time is rather amusing...when people ask why certain fans are so hung up on this team not picking up a Blair Betts or Manny Malhotra like it would've made a difference between the Oilers making the playoffs or languishing in the NHL basement, the statistically inclined essentially say 'every little bit helps, what could it have hurt?'...fair enough, there's logic behind that.

But damn if there isn't hell to pay if anybody has the temerity to even suggest that certain sacred cows (Horcoff, Hemsky to name two of the more prominent ones) maybe aren't being all they can be...then it's all "He's not the problem! He's not the problem!"

To which I reply, 'every little bit helps...'

And as far as I'm concerned, on a 30th ****ing place team there are NO sacred cows, NO single player that should be above reproach. ESPECIALLY among the veterans who didn't do a whole lot to keep this team from going 0 for damn January.

1 player cant win a Cup alone. He makes every team mate he's ever had better. He almost single handedly ran our PP for 3 years and has constantly made his C look better than he really is (Note Horc on the 3rd line without Hemsky).

What people should wonder is why hasnt it rubbed off on his team mates the fact that he has consistently taken a bruising by going to battle for the puck against much larger opponents.

Why arent we asking the guys "Hey, Hemsky just got his face smashed into the boards by Player X again but still managed to fight for the puck in the corners and win, why cant you losers do that?"

Why are people so concerned with his practice habits when clearly the player in question battles harder and produces better than everyone on the team when it matters the most?

"He makes every team mate he's ever had better"

I always love this, who has he made better? Sykora scored roughly the same everywhere else. Smyth scored roughly the same without him. Penner scored roughly the same without him. Cole didn't work with him. Lupul didn't work with him.

Now, does he make the TEAMS offense better? Absolutly, all you need to do is look where they were before he went out (roughly mid way in the GF in the conference) to where they are now.... last.

How many more goals would they have scored if they kept their relative ranking? Call it 15, or roughly .5 GPG. 40 points over a year (average 1 assist/goal) means 40 more points for his team-mates... spread over 20 guys.

I'd say his regular linemates get 4/5 extra points/year and guys he plays with sporadically get 1-3.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Ovechkin would be slacking at a 40-goal pace, but would still be the best player on the team. Do you give him a pass because he's naturally talented, or tell him he's slacking and needs to improve?

Agreed. Hemsky is obviously not close to the Oilers main problem but to be satisfied with 70 point output makes no sense. The best players in every sport are almost always the hardest workers as well. Look how much Crosby practices, or Tiger (used too). They are not satisfied with being good, they want to be great, they want to win.

I think a strong case could be made that Hemsky does indeed make the players around him better...even moreso than people realize.

Just look at this year and it should tell you that.

By no means do I think that Hemsky is problem #1 but if he's one of the untouchables then it should be because you can grow a team around him... I personaly dont think he is a guy you build around.

Yeah the team blows this year but how many times have the Oil made the playoffs with him playing a significant role?

Does he make players around him better? He may put a few points up and has talent but he doesnt lead and he doesnt make the team better like a Mike Richards, Smyth or Staal.

I make the same arguemnt regarding my local team in Ilya Kovalchuk. Hell of a talent that puts up points but has never done anything to better the team as a whole. People can argue he plays with an inferior line-up but is he out there helping guys out work on things, practicing one-timers, tip-ins or finding open ice? Not really, he puts up points so he can sign a better contract and play 82 games.

I think with the moves by the leafs & Ward being back in the Canes line-up we will still be in last place. A win tonight would not hurt my feelings, as long as they don't go on a 4 game win streak after the win tonight.

The "why" was a sarcastic remark on why anyone would waste their time/ money searching the net for games/ paying for ppv on this team. I will try to remember to add tildes for the sake of clarity in the future.

I am in the same boat as HeavyD. I am a fan of the team, and that doesn't end just because of an ugly slide. Those that stop being fans are on something called a "bandwagon".

Agreed. Hemsky is obviously not close to the Oilers main problem but to be satisfied with 70 point output makes no sense. The best players in every sport are almost always the hardest workers as well. Look how much Crosby practices, or Tiger (used too). They are not satisfied with being good, they want to be great, they want to win.

By no means do I think that Hemsky is problem #1 but if he's one of the untouchables then it should be because you can grow a team around him... I personaly dont think he is a guy you build around.

Yeah the team blows this year but how many times have the Oil made the playoffs with him playing a significant role?

Does he make players around him better? He may put a few points up and has talent but he doesnt lead and he doesnt make the team better like a Mike Richards, Smyth or Staal.

I make the same arguemnt regarding my local team in Ilya Kovalchuk. Hell of a talent that puts up points but has never done anything to better the team as a whole. People can argue he plays with an inferior line-up but is he out there helping guys out work on things, practicing one-timers, tip-ins or finding open ice? Not really, he puts up points so he can sign a better contract and play 82 games.

Is it his job to put up points or teach players how to play? This team has far too many problems to be worrying about crap like this right now.

Gregor, Can you please do me a favour? Can you ask Tambo if he realizes that those aren't seasons tickets and the cheques he is collecting aren't a pension, that he is actually the GM of the edmonton oilers ice hockey team?

Also, not being in Etown, just how bad is the mood in the town? I can imagine that it must be just about to boil over after satutrday night and then sunday....I know how I feel, and man, I sure hope this is the bottom, but I'm not even sure anymore....My luck, the flames will now go on a 12 games winning streak!!!

1 player cant win a Cup alone. He makes every team mate he's ever had better. He almost single handedly ran our PP for 3 years and has constantly made his C look better than he really is (Note Horc on the 3rd line without Hemsky).

What people should wonder is why hasnt it rubbed off on his team mates the fact that he has consistently taken a bruising by going to battle for the puck against much larger opponents.

Why arent we asking the guys "Hey, Hemsky just got his face smashed into the boards by Player X again but still managed to fight for the puck in the corners and win, why cant you losers do that?"

Why are people so concerned with his practice habits when clearly the player in question battles harder and produces better than everyone on the team when it matters the most?

It hasnt rubbed off on other team mates because he is not out making them better. He plays hard gets his points and others get points as a result of that.

Does he help others get better on an individual basis? I'm not sold that he does. We have all played with players like this in minor hockey and the minors. They are a great talent that puts points on the board and are also the first person to check the game sheet after the game to see how many points they got in a 6-4 loss.

Again... I dont think he is problem #1-#10 but I dont know if he is the guy I would build a team around when people are listing the untouchables.

Pretty sure nobody said he was "slacking". He may be able to put a little more effort in but lets not get carried away.

The issue I'm getting at is one I'm very familiar with, actually.

I did really well in grade school, middle school, and high school. I didn't try much at all, and still came out with great marks. Being in the top few percentile of each class, my teachers would say "He's very intelligent, but he needs to work harder". My parents, at first, thought this was ridiculous. Why work at full-capacity for A+s when you can get As at half-capacity?

The problem is that you don't develop good studying skills that lay the groundwork for situations in which you might not already be proficient.

My gut reaction for things that are unfamiliar and challenging is to write them off, not to hunker down until I've mastered them.

1 player cant win a Cup alone. He makes every team mate he's ever had better. He almost single handedly ran our PP for 3 years and has constantly made his C look better than he really is (Note Horc on the 3rd line without Hemsky).

What people should wonder is why hasnt it rubbed off on his team mates the fact that he has consistently taken a bruising by going to battle for the puck against much larger opponents.

Why arent we asking the guys "Hey, Hemsky just got his face smashed into the boards by Player X again but still managed to fight for the puck in the corners and win, why cant you losers do that?"

Why are people so concerned with his practice habits when clearly the player in question battles harder and produces better than everyone on the team when it matters the most?

I don't think I've ever been confused as a bandwagon fan. No one here on ON commenting away should be confused with that. At the same time, I won't be shelling out $15 or watching the game on my monitor. Your choice of course. I think I can find something else to do.

If Comrie and Cogliano are on the same line, which one is playing in the middle? Any word on whether Comrie is 100% or not?

And wouldn't it be just like the Oilers to win tonight, finish in 29th on the season due to losing the tie-breaker to Carolina, lose the lottery, and end up picking third missing out on both Hall and Seguin? Could anyone actually say that's far-fetched this year?

Comrie said he is ready. His hand was a bit sore after the fight, but he said he was ready to play in Calgary. It would be Cogliano in the middle if they play together. Comrie isn't a centreman anymore.

@ Jason Gregor I have heard rumblings that the Oilers are going to increase ticket prices for next year. If so, what is the team's justification to the fan base for the increase?

I haven't heard that yet. I have yet to receive my renewal rate, but if they do I'm guessing most ticket holders won't be happy.

@Bar Qu

Repeat after me. Hemsky is not the problem with this team. When his work ethic becomes even remotely something to be concerned about, then we should discuss it. I really don't get the digs at Hemsky, other than there is really nothing useful to discuss on this team. But some shots at the shoddy coaching decisions might make more sense (how many times have we seen Strudwick on the ice at the end of close games this year?).

I read courtesy of Nation readers you are that much of a coward that you have to mis quote me at another site rather than have the courage to say it here. Please show me where I said Hemsky was the problem??? And anytime you want to engage in a discussion feel free to call in to my show. Lets's hear all of your insightful and great hockey knowledge. I pointed out how other teams top players work extra on their craft. It is just one other element that needs to be looked at. I've said repeatedly I wouldn't trade Hemsky, but to think he is above criticism is ridiculous. Your best players need to be your best players in most games or you won't win. What exactly has Hemsky done that makes him so valuable that he can't be questioned? But since you are such a hockey expert I'm sure you've got a great defence of his play. It isn't his fault. It's the players around him. Rightttttt..

going to watch the flames game tonight, cheer for the new flamers.......uuuggg somebody please kill me.....man we have fallen a long ways. Oil country is the laugh n stock of the league, even the Toronto media is talking about how bad the Oilers are.......

going to watch the flames game tonight, cheer for the new flamers.......uuuggg somebody please kill me.....man we have fallen a long ways. Oil country is the laugh n stock of the league, even the Toronto media is talking about how bad the Oilers are.......

Go cheer for the Flames, then. I'm thinking I'm actually going to buy this game tonight. I think there's a little bit of overlap with the new episode of House, but I'll be cheering for the Oil nonetheless.

I find it hilarious that the last few weeks Stauffer has been saying that the one of the main reasons we haven't seen any movement on the Oilers front and in the NHL in general was due to the Cap and Contracts etc. He even went so far as to poo poo many callers ideas for trade ideas cuz he said it would never happen "especially in today's Cap world".

And now Burke and Sutter dispel the myth of the Cap world and boom Stauffer is saying he'd buy out O'Sullivan and Nilsson, bring in Biron and a second line and 3rd liner based on the cash back from Nilsson and O'Sullivan. Basically after this weekend anything goes again, eh?

Did you watch the playoffs last year. He was a beast. Dominated and got his team to the conference final.

He was a no brainer for the Olympic team.

And it is pro-rated over the season, which you have proved before isn't overly accurate. Remember when Penner was on fire for 25 games. Prorated over the season, he would have been a stud. Now we see that isn't the case.

Your numbers are prorated, so they have room to be misleading.

Also just watch him play. He is dominant. Sometimes numbers don't show the entire picture. They can give some insight, but to say that Staal is over-rated is a stretch. Some would also say that getting points within your division is more important than scoring against the rest of the league.

So far from what I see at this stage he is the Oilers best skater by far and his effort in game is pretty hard to challenge. I cant say that spending an extra 20 minutes shooting at the AHL goaltenders on the club will transform him into a great player.

I'll be the crazy to say it... the Oilers are in serious dire straits defensively. They currently only have Strudwick to provide any physicality from the backend, and I'm not even sure how well he does that.

Sooooo, I dare ask about the guy waived today. Yes, I know generally a player isn't waived unless they're pretty horrible. But we're a 30th place team desperate for help there, and he's UFA next year anyways if it doesn't work out.

So that all said... thoughts on the Oilers picking up Boynton (which I doubt they will)?

On the other hand, I'm full on wanting this team to continue the DFF, so any help they get would not be good. But really this is a guy who I could see here next year if the trial period worked out.

I don't understand how anyone can rip on Hemsky. He's a playmaker first and a goal scorer second. When he has players that can bury his passes he's going to get points. I mean anyone who can make Horcoff a PPG player must be doing something right. Also unlike many superstars these days he actually does well in the playoffs. Mind you it was only once but If I remember correctly he scored some huge goals during the 2006 run including the beauty that turned out to be the series winner against Detroit.

I'll be the crazy to say it... the Oilers are in serious dire straits defensively. They currently only have Strudwick to provide any physicality from the backend, and I'm not even sure how well he does that.

Sooooo, I dare ask about the guy waived today. Yes, I know generally a player isn't waived unless they're pretty horrible. But we're a 30th place team desperate for help there, and he's UFA next year anyways if it doesn't work out.

So that all said... thoughts on the Oilers picking up Boynton (which I doubt they will)?

On the other hand, I'm full on wanting this team to continue the DFF, so any help they get would not be good. But really this is a guy who I could see here next year if the trial period worked out.

I say we grab him. He is due about $530K for the remaining 29 games. He adds some size and toughness.

So far from what I see at this stage he is the Oilers best skater by far and his effort in game is pretty hard to challenge. I cant say that spending an extra 20 minutes shooting at the AHL goaltenders on the club will transform him into a great player.

It isn't just working on shooting on goalies. They work on small elements of their game. It is also showing young guys things. Also joking around and having fun. I'm not saying he becomes great because of it, but if a team's best player isn't their hardest worker that sends a bad message. It is a fact that most of the best players are also the hardest workers.

I don't understand how anyone can rip on Hemsky. He's a playmaker first and a goal scorer second. When he has players that can bury his passes he's going to get points. I mean anyone who can make Horcoff a PPG player must be doing something right. Also unlike many superstars these days he actually does well in the playoffs. Mind you it was only once but If I remember correctly he scored some huge goals during the 2006 run including the beauty that turned out to be the series winner against Detroit.

And Pisani scored 14 goals that playoffs? And mentioning that other great players work a bit extra after practice compared to Hemsky, really isn't ripping him.

His linemates and the weak powerplay is why he cant take that next step to elite status. I dont believe its anything on him.

Horcoff's lack of skill will be fixed if Hemsky pracitices more?

WHy is Hemsky's lack of success everyone else's fault? I'm just curious why people don't want more from him. He's never been a point a game player over the course of a full season. I think we'd all agree he has the skill set to be an 80 point player, but he never has. So isn't if fair to ask that he work to improve on that? Far from ripping him, or saying they should trade him, just saying I don't think he has reached his full potential, regardless of who is around him. Maybe he isn't a point-a-game player, but I think he could be.

I just have some speculative questions but i have been scouring the internet for oilers trade rumours and one sticks out that could be okay what do you all think. I read on a rangers website that they are interested in souray? how bout dubinsky as part of a potential return i read the article and was intrigued this would only be possible the writer suggests if they land jokinen which im sure they will

Hey Jason did you have any thoughts on Nick Boynton? I don't expect him to come in here and save the team or anything (afterall he WAS waived). However with our blue line currently in shambles and especially lacking in guys that can play in the defensive zone and play phsyically, would it make sense for the Oilers to nab him?

He's only $1.5M, pro-rated over the limited time he'd be here. Plus he's a UFA at the end of the year. It would also give a good "try-out" to see what he's capable of, and maybe he could come back in place of Strudwick/Staios if it works out.

Just my 2 cents.

Sorry for asking this twice, just wasn't sure if my post earlier would have caught your attention amidst the direct talk about Hemmer.

Lets look back to the last few seasons. How many sweet passed one-timers did Horcoff whiff on? I will say about 10-20 a season if not more. That there is 10-20 points for Hemsky, putting him in the over PPG and into 90+ plus a season. Would he be elite then?

Hemsky has gotten better every year.
Right now there are 16 guys over the Pt/Gm plateau
As was Hemsky when he got hurt.
He had been playing hurt, and his Center was playing hurt and his LW was JF Jacques.
Now thats hurtin'